 |
 |
| Episode Eight - The Haunted Trail |
The Haunted Trail episode takes place in an area of McDowell County
near the town of Old Fort, North Carolina. It all came about when I was attending the
Southeastern Hiking Festival in Black Mountain. There I met Andrea Lankford, one of the
scheduled speakers for the event. She had just written a book called "Haunted Hikes,
Spine-Tingling Tales and Trails from North America’s National Parks" and was reading
excerpts from it.
During this time, she also visited the Outdoor Paths Map Store in Black Mountain. Here she
learned of some "spooky" events that had happened along Pritchard Creek in McDowell County.
She had already decided to visit the site when we talked.
I told her I would love to come along if she would be willing to be a major star in my show.
She agreed readily. We planned the hike right then and left 3 days later. Along with us came
John Buckner and Tom Jones, two hardy hikers and eager participants.
To get to the hike, we left Black Mountain heading east on old Highway 70 at Ridgecrest. The
road used to be the only route into the mountains from the eastern Piedmont of North
Carolina. A two-lane ribbon of winding scenic concrete leading from Old Fort to Ridgecrest,
the road is now closed. Used by hikers and mountain bikers, it is slowly looking more and
more like an old logging road.
Just at the closing gate, we took a left onto a gravel road called Mill Creek Road and
proceeded down 2.5 miles to a paved road, county road 1407. If one turns right, you can
visit Andrews Geyser less than a mile away. Along the way on Mill Creek Road, you pass a
Bread and Breakfast that has a small lake beside it. This is where the water for Andrews
Geyser emanates from. The geyser is worth the visit.
From I-40 exit at Old Fort, go north into town and then turn left at the light. About 1/4
mile further is the sign to Andrews Geyser on the right. Turn there and follow the signs to
the geyser and the trail head of the hike. |
Turning left on 1407 from Mill Creek will take you to the trail head for the hike. After
a 1/4 mile, you will pass the Brookside Church and a ropes course on the right. The trail
starts near this ropes course. Crossing the railroad it soon comes down to Pritchard Creek.
Several old ruins can be seen on the way. The site of the "flying rocks" is very noticeable
because of the lack of vegetation. The "Pritchard Creek Tea Party" is just beyond this on
the left.
It is a very scenic area full of history and mystery. Andrea is considering writing another
book of Haunted Hikes covering areas other than the National Parks and is constantly looking
for hikes to add to her book. This one was one of them. You can contact her at
www.hauntedhiker.com if you would like.
I had a lot of fun and a camera man, Stan Jones, to help out for a change. It is such a
relief not to have to set up the camera and get in the scene then retrace my steps just to
do it again. Stan has helped me on my first two shows and is very knowledgeable with the
camera. My chance to thanks Stan happens here once again.
For more info about this hike or any other, feel free to contact me in the contact tab
above. Thanks for watching and hopefully, I will have a new show soon. |
|
